Holy Guacamole! Calexico Cart Wins the Vendy Awards

On Saturday, the largest Vendy Awards crowd ever came together at Tobacco Warehouse in Brooklyn to watch the Calexico Cart win the 2008 Vendy Awards. Two times is a charm for the three dudes from SoCal whose "gourmet Cal-Mex street food" was also nominated in 2006. We're a little embarrassed after our handicapping didn't give them the best odds. We love their carne asada, but didn't think the judges had it in them to award the cup to a bunch of hipster bros!

The Biriyani Cart family facilitating the assembly line. One nice young woman (far left) was on sauce duty.

Helpers of the Fauzia's Delights assembling silverware bundles.

Lots of steam rising from that jerk chicken at Fauzia's Delights.

Rafael Soler of Soler Dominican, the "Nobu of Red Hook" according to the New York Times (the article was pasted proudly on his truck), totally worked the crowd. While taking pupusa orders, he shimmied his hips to jams coming from his boombox.

We were in line for the Dessert Truck, just as the twinkle lights on the Brooklyn Bridge
turned on. Such a beautiful (though chilly) night.

How do you get into the Vendys without paying the $100 at the door? You pick up trash all night (and sneak in bites) as a volunteer! Plus you score a sweet Vendys apron, valued at $20. Total retail value: $120.

There were actual tables at the Tobacco Warehouse, but many people munched in line or, like this couple, found a cozy sitting spot.

Before the winners ceremony, we stood in the Calexico line behind last year's winner, the Dosa Man of Washington Square Park. He was happy to be passing the torch, but as a vegan, couldn't try much. When we asked for his almighty winner predictions, he pointed to the Biriyani cart. "I've heard good things." But alas, Dosa Man couldn't actually eat the delicious chicken tikka.

The vendors take the stage, waiting for the winner's circle announcement with bated breath.

Winner of the People's Choice Award, and the winner of all, in our hearts: Meru Sikder of the Biriyani Cart. At left, Daisy Martinez, the PBS host of Daisy Cooks!, and Sean Basinski, the director of the Street Vendor Project.

I've been part of the Serious Eats family since 2008. I wore the hat of national managing editor until 2013. Originally a Californian then a Brooklynite and now a New Orleanian. You can find me at the crawfish boil.